Alerts are turned of folks as I have no time presently. I may reappear again on Ciao but not for the...
Alerts are turned of folks as I have no time presently. I may reappear again on Ciao but not for the forseeable future. Take care and have a great Summer
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Please note this is a film only review *****************
The Lady and the Tramp is one of Disney's early classics and one of my favourites also. It was first released, to cinema audiences, in August 1955. Disney kept all these early animations away from our television screens for many years. As a child, in England, all we ever saw on our small screens of Disney was a taster, at Easter or Christmas, in a Disney-time special which showed brief clips.
So there was nothing for it, as a child, but to watch Disney at the cinema, on one of those memorable family outings. I have such fond memories of these times and also these sort of films.
Eventually maybe ten or fifteen years ago Lady and the Tramp was released on video, as Disney began to release a few of their old classics, and I received it as a present. Some Disney films have now made it to the small screen, via television channels, but not Lady
and the Tramp as far as I am aware.
Most readers will have come across this cartoon at some time though in their viewing life, but for those who haven't, seek it out and indulge in some good, old time smaltz.
Lady is a surprise present to his wife, Darling, from Jim Dear. These names are what Lady hears as the couple speak to each other and so she calls her owners Darling and Jim Dear. Lady is a puppy cocker spaniel who is given in a cardboard box, tied with ribbon. For me, as in life, the puppy stage of Lady's life shows her at her cutest.
This period however is only brief in the film. She has a few funny, naughty moments settling in to her new home and the next time we see her she is full grown. Life is peaches and cream but it is not destined to stay this way.
Along life's path Lady meets with Tramp who is a slightly scruffy, rogue of a mongrel who has a big heart. Tramp's sentiment that 'when a baby arrives, a dog is out the door', give an idea of what's to come. When life turns sour for Lady she meets up with Tramp again and romance blossoms. All is well in the end but there are many dangers and some sadness along the way. I am not going to give any more detail away as, if you haven't watched this film, I don't want to spoil the experience for you.
The animation is old fashioned now but stands up well with an antique charm. The characters are exquisite from the nasty, naughty Siamese twin cats and their horrible owner Aunt Sarah, to the neighbouring English bloodhound Trusty and the ever so Scottish Jock the wee Scottie dog. As usual there are little sub-plots such as the fact that the bloodhound has lost his sense of smell.
The film is set in possibly late Victorian times in America. The drawings have such a quaint charm which I think is also down to the period it is set in.
As with most Disney animations there is a wealth of music running through this film, some by well known voices. Mind you if you're under forty you may not have heard of them before. The voice of Peggy Lee, as a dog's home captive singing, 'He's a tramp' to her ex is excellent. Peggy is also the voice of Darling, amongst others. There is the romance as Lady and Tramp share a plate of spaghetti, donated by the Italian restaurant owner. They eat to the strains of 'Bella Notte'(apologies if I've spelt it wrong but you get the picture)
This animation is a traditional piece of work from the time when the Disney Studios were on a high, had the market to themselves and still had Uncle Walt at the helm.
Personally I adore dogs in life as well as film but I don't think that matters. This story has many things which relate to life in general, such as feeling you have had you're nose pushed out.
Lady and the Tramp retains an innocent charm which may be too sentimental for some. However if you watch it for what it is you should love it. This is one film which is suitable for all the family from the youngest to the oldest. There are a couple of slight scares in the middle, for example the dog catcher and the dog pound with death row, which small children may not like but really nothing significantly frightening. I would think small children will love the cuteness of all the different dogs and the musical score.
RECOMMENDATION Go on, leave your cynicism behind, lose yourself in a bygone, gentler age and relive your childhood. A classic cartoon full of charm which will definitely entertain.
Thanks for reading Copyright Eiley 2008
Pictures of Lady And The Tramp (Animated) (DVD)
A romantic dinner for two
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Disney's first animated feature in CinemaScope is now available in widescreen ... more
presentations on video, and it is definitely good to get the whole picture. One of the studio's most original and charming movies, the 1955 film tells the story of a rakish, ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
![Lady And The Tramp [DVD] [1955]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/118199348.jpg "Lady And The Tramp [DVD] [1955]")
Mar 31st, 2007
(Apr 19th, 2008)
very helpful by (100%):
